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Show Horse Talk by Linda Offret horse next door doesn't kick . koes not mean that no horse kicks. Each horse is an individual, just as you and I are.. It is crucial to be aware of this and to respect them and be alert around them. It is not mv desire to scare anyone in regard to horses. I want everyone to enjoy them and have a great time riding. I hope to develop safety and fun in everyone I come into contact with. If I can help someone who had a miserable experience with a horse-try it just one more time on a good horse, I'll be happy. How do vou know if you have a bad horse if you don't know what a ood one js? It is alost like ski boots: we get students who think that ski boots are supposed to hurt (so .they have heard) and are totally amazed when we tell them differently. They even begin to like the sport! ! Please re-evaluate vour ability with ' horses, do vou experience "dumb" accidents,; ac-cidents,; have more bad experiences with them than iood? Are you at a loss as to where to begin? Youngsters, adults it doesn't matter. There is no reason to give up . on riding or horses. Trv it one more time! YOITLL BE AMAZED!! What can classes in horsemanship, horse-manship, horse handling, safety and riding do for you? In handling horses it is important that the person doing so have confidence in working with the horse. The least apprehension will be sensed by the horse and perhaps be taken advantage of by him. Decisive action taken by a person who has confidence confi-dence and a goal will usually result in that goal. That is a confidence builder. On the other had, there is nothing worse than seeing someone handle a horse and knowing that they are scared or leery of it. Usually something goes wrong and the person loses confidence. Many times we learn by experience but that isn't necessarilv the best (or safest) way. Lessons in anything any-thing (especially a life risk sport) are essential. Just as a defensive driving course is essential in order to obtain a, driver's license, so is the knowledge of acting safely around horses. Just because you have a good friend who is a good rider doesn't mean that the person is safe and someone you should use as a model. If you have had your confidence destroyed by a rotten experience with a horse, been injured or even only dreamed of having a horse someday, I urge you to consider lessons and experience exper-ience the safe enjoyable way. Many things go unsaid in handling horses but that is because they have become a habit with good horsemen. It is important that the person who is innocent in hankling horses learn these fundamental fundament-al things. Example: be cautious around a horse whose cars arc flat. A serious injury could result if a person was u naware of this indication of irritation, Another example I see very often is the way youngsters run around the backs of horses at the local rodeos and shows. If they only knew the danger involved they would probably be more crcfiUusjbecau.e4he |
